Tracheal Shave
Tracheal Shave (Chondrolaryngoplasty)
In this technique a small incision is made usually where the neck meets the lower part of the jaw. This gives access to the tracheal cartilage were the projected portion of the cartilage is removed and the neck is closed. This results in reduction in the prominence of the tracheal cartilage or “Adam’s Apple”
Ideal candidate: Someone a large visible amount of cartilage. If you are planning on voice surgery typically tracheal shave will be done before you move forward with tracheal shave.
Limitations:
• Your vocal cords connect to the tracheal cartilage so care must be taken to no injury the vocal cords which is very unlikely. There fore we cannot take out all of the tracheal cartilage. Everyone has tracheal cartilage! We are aiming to make it less prominent
• We do trade a reduction of the tracheal cartilage for a small 2cm scar
After Care
This surgery is not particularly painful, most not needing more than Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain management. You may have a bit of a sore throat after the surgery that is likely from the intubation tube and this will improve with time.
You will have a bandage on your neck that you can remove on post op day 1. There will be steri strips under this that we will leave until they start to lift in 7-10 in which time you can remove them.
We ask that you take it easy for 2 weeks. No vigorous etherize, swimming, hot tube, or saunas.
Tracheal Shave Photo Gallery
